“He’s coming at a really bad time” - Paul Scholes predicts how many years it could take Ruben Amorim to make Manchester United title contenders

Paul Scholes feels Manchester United could take four years to challenge for the Premier League title again under Ruben Amorim. The Englishman has expressed concern over the Portuguese boss' appointment at a time of turmoil at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils had a poor campaign under Erik ten Hag last season, finishing eighth in the league and crashing out of the Champions League in the group stages.

This caused speculation over Ten Hag's future and he ultimately received the boot at the end of last month after a dismal start to the 2024-25 campaign.

Manchester United have now appointed Ruben Amorim as head coach, with the Sporting CP boss set to join the club on November 11.

Scholes has been discussing the Portuguese's appointment and when he could potentially bring Premier League glory back to Old Trafford. The former Manchester United midfielder said (via Eurosport):

"The big concern for me is how can he get this team to challenge for the Champions League places when it should be the very, very least."

"And then, I do not know how much time he is going to have to make that next step again, to get it challenging for the league title. You are thinking three-and-a-half or four years to even get close to that."

"He is coming in at a situation where they are 14th in the league, 20-odd in the Europa League, so he is coming at a really bad time."

"Some of the bigger managers you expected to do well - the Van Gaals, the Mourinhos - did not quite work for them. But their level was still higher, they were still going for Champions League places, not quite the league."

"And I think it is going to be quite easy for him to get this team five or six up. They finished eighth last year, it was a bad year so he has not got that much work to do to beat that, but I think he is more than capable of doing that."

Manchester United last won a Premier League title in 2013 in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season.

Paul Scholes names one key aspect Amorim must change at Manchester United

Paul Scholes insists that Ruben Amorim will have to change Manchester United's mentality after he takes over the reins at Old Trafford. The Englishman believes the Red Devils have lacked a certain desire which he feels is present in Amorim's Sporting side.

The Portuguese outfit thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday (November 6) in an impressive display against the English champions. Speaking about their performance, Scholes said (via the aforementioned outlet):

"It was brilliant. They look really good, they look threatening, they play with a real energy. There was a desire, a hunger that probably has not been seen here [at Old Trafford]."

He added:

"He is going to have to change the mentality as soon as he comes into this place, he looks like he is got the character, a good smile."

Manchester United beat PAOK 2-0 on Thursday (November 7) to register their first win in the Europa League this season. They will return to league action against Leicester City on Sunday (November 10).